[MrPig]

Originally Posted by E902009

The sewing machine sound is caused by either valves needing adjustment, or the lifters are worn. BTW, the white E30 in your signature looks sweet! I had an '89 E30 325is in red/tan interior combo. I still miss that car to this day.

Nah, valves were adjusted to cold spec about 1500km ago and the lifters/cam doesn't look worn at all. The 'ticking' (based on a semi quick scope check) is coming from my injectors. I probably should replace them at some point, but the car is going into storage either this or next week so I won't bother until next spring.

Having finally put some miles on this car this past summer (spent most of last year doing maintenance on it, so didn't get to drive it that much), I gotta say it's the most fun to drive car I've ever owned

[essex_lad]

e36 engines, my uncles 2.0 has done 420k with a full bmw service history. Bodywork is starting to rust though.

[StevenY.]

Originally Posted by ihc95

With all thing considered, it has to be the S54 for me. High revving M characteristics coupled with the traditional BMW I6 layout. What's not to love?

+1, it also makes such a nice sound when you get on it.

[E902009]

Originally Posted by MrPig

Nah, valves were adjusted to cold spec about 1500km ago and the lifters/cam doesn't look worn at all. The 'ticking' (based on a semi quick scope check) is coming from my injectors. I probably should replace them at some point, but the car is going into storage either this or next week so I won't bother until next spring.

Having finally put some miles on this car this past summer (spent most of last year doing maintenance on it, so didn't get to drive it that much), I gotta say it's the most fun to drive car I've ever owned

Absolutely. I think it follows the "driving a slow car fast" model. That said, the original 0-60 numbers were 7.3 seconds. Not too shabby for back in the day.

[Chris_506]

n54 SIIKEEEEEEE

[MrPig]

Originally Posted by E902009

Absolutely. I think it follows the "driving a slow car fast" model. That said, the original 0-60 numbers were 7.3 seconds. Not too shabby for back in the day.

Not too shabby by current day standards either, considering the Mini Cooper S does 0-100 in 6.something seconds, has 20 more HP and weights 200lbs less.

[curiouz_g]

S54, the last M I6 ever made.

[SanquintinB]

"Megatron"

The M12 Turbo.

1.5 liters. 4-cylinders. Around 80psi. & Estimated 1400hp in qualifying trim.

Yea it's a Formula One engine but it's a BMW engine is it not?

[Darien335is]

Without a doubt, the 4.9 liter V8 from the E39 M5. What an unbelievable combination of power, sound, smoothness.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by mansito

e28 M5. What engines should look like. A beautiful performance engine ahead of its time.

I would agree that the M30/S38 Big Six engines were the best. The later versions were extremely well-developed, unbreakable and trouble-free. Something to be said for iron-blocks and simple engine controls.

One of my fondest set of memories was re-building the 3L in my '77 530i and discovering 30 hp or so after replacing the thermal reactors with Stahl headers, mild porting, a hotter cam and a little displacement bump from re-bore and shaved head.

[kunal_d]

Originally Posted by MonkUSMC

The one that held the highest top speed for a manufacture.

+1 for the S70. What an incredible noise it makes as well.

[tizzyd]

I'm so torn. I love the N/A and high-revving qualities of the S65, S85, and S54, but I also love the torquey S62 as well. Any of those four motors are a great answer to the proposed question. Additionally, one cannot deny the N54 from greatness....it was a complete game-changer for BMW and was a glimpse of the future (BMW will not make any more N/A motors (not including motorcycles) after the 128i goes out of production!)

[LouE90335i]

the n54 in my opinion.... its so smooth and powerful but the those e36 motors are great too

[Davyhay]

Originally Posted by Lx335i

the n54 in my opinion.... its so smooth and powerful but the those e36 motors are great too

The N54 is a very good engine, but being so peaky in the mid range, along with the low redline, takes away from the driving experience, IMHO.

[DriftDreamzSS]

S85, the sounds that motor makes....

[E93FTW]

Anybody thinks new 4-cylinders are too soft?

[BillK]

I believe the E36 S50 was hand built from a 325 engine by the M division. Later came the S52 which was differnt in itself. My S50 has 256K and a Blackstone oil analysis shows lower than average wear so my vote goes to that engine

[sahara73]

M10 block hands down

Folklore tells us M10 engine blocks were also reportedly weathered in the rain and urinated on by mechanics prior to becoming 1500 HP banshees.

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/201...arged-m10.html

[tuphdc]

s85. /thread

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by sahara73

M10 block hands down

Folklore tells us M10 engine blocks were also reportedly weathered in the rain and urinated on by mechanics prior to becoming 1500 HP banshees.

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/201...arged-m10.html

This is your first post? You got the answer right!

[Matski]

Of the engines I've had, the M30, without a doubt. I had M30B28 and M30B35.. great engines, so very smooth.

[sahara73]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

This is your first post? You got the answer right!

While waiting patiently for my 128i w/M Sport Package I decided to check out the forum and brought a little 02 knowledge with me.

Pictured engine is disassembled and at machine shop. Baking, Boring, decking, 9.3:1 CR Dome pistons topped off with ported E21 head w/300deg Norris Cam and Weber DCOE 40's.